A large black Labrador came from nowhere, pinned it to the ground and started tearing it to shreds

Jacky Chandler

Jacky Chandler, from Newick, leapt off her horse to protect a young Roe deer grazing on the common on February 18.

“We had just admired a young solitary Roe Buck quietly grazing on the common as we hacked out of the yard,” said Jacky.

“A large black Labrador came from nowhere, pinned it to the ground and started tearing it to shreds.

“Having dismounted, thrown Honey’s reins at my riding companion, clambered a fence and sprinted, I was still not quick enough to prevent an antler bud being ripped off and a severe mauling.”

The deer was taken to the Folly Wildlife Rescue Unit, via the vets, but died a few days later.

Debbie Johnson, who works for Wildlife A&E, based in Rotherfield said: “We were called by people at Toad Hall in North Chailey to say they had rescued a deer. We took him back to the relief site. He was very shocked and didn’t eat, but we eventually got him to eat something. But unfortunately he died. Roe deer are very easily shocked.

“We have lots of dog attacks on the common. It is getting more and more common. It is just a case of where you are walking dogs in an area of livestock it is best to keep them on a lead.”

Chairman of Chailey Commons Society, William Coleman, said: “We ask that all users of the common respect the common so everyone has an equal chance of enjoying it.”

Although the society does not manage the common, Mr Coleman called for dog walkers to keep their dogs under control around the animals living on the common.

Anyone who saw what happened in relation to the dog attack on February 26, or has any information is asked to contact 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 656 of 26/02.